Guy Gear: Camping and Hiking

Summer is as good a time as any to take a break from the hustle and bustle. Getting back to nature and enjoying an adventurous or relaxing camping trip is an ideal way to recharge. Guy Gear has a batch of new-age necessities, that will not only make your trek better, but can all be carried with you. We’ve come a long way from impossible-to-set-up tents and cumbersome kits. While these gadgets take a lot of the hard work out of camping out, they still keep things simple and don’t detract from what you’re really out there to do: enjoy the outdoors.

guy gear: camping and hiking

Coleman LED Quad Lantern

Building a fire and camping always go hand in hand, but as a source of light, you can’t exactly carry it on you at all times. For portable lighting out in the dark woods, nothing can match Coleman’s LED Quad Lantern. Perfect for late-night cooking or bathroom runs, the LED Lantern’s 24 5 mm white lights offer spectacular illumination. The device can be split up into four separate sections, each with its own handle that can be operated independently. This unique design makes creating an area of light easy, and is really handy should you and your group need to split up. With a rechargeable NiMH battery life of over 30 hours, you can count on Coleman’s lantern to never leave you out in the dark. Pick one up from Amazon.com for $69.99.

Gerber Kick Axe

A Swiss Army knife is clever, but a Gerber Kick Axe is what men use when they are gearing up for an outdoor excursion. This lightweight folding axe would look at home in the latest summer blockbuster action movie, but it is much more than just some badass design. The Gerber blade knows its way around a campsite. With a metal-bodied frame and extremely durable black oxide coating, this is one portable and rugged axe. Now chopping wood or pretending to be the killer in a 1980's horror movie just got a whole lot easier. Get hold of your Gerber Kick Axe at Outdoor-Gear-Online.com for a steal at $72.89.

SteriPEN Adventurer

The SteriPEN Adventurer is one of the slickest and most impressive camping gadgets to come along in a while. The tiny UV water purifier destroys the viruses and bacteria found in untreated water in just seconds. A 32-ounce jug of water can be completely neutralized in about a minute and a half by just hitting the SteriPEN’s activation button and stirring it in the water until the indicator light goes off. While you could seek out natural spring water or a babbling mountain brook, why risk getting sick when you could whip out this nifty accessory and zap yourself some worry-free hydration in no time? Unlike chemical tablets, the SteriPEN Adventurer leaves no metallic aftertaste or chalky texture. Order your SteriPEN Adventurer from Amazon.com for $82.95.

Timberland HT2 Outdoor Performance Watch

If you have a lot of hiking and camping on the schedule coming up, you should think hard about picking up a Timberland HT2 Outdoor Performance watch. Combining city style with wilderness functionality, the HT2 plays in both the office and out on the trail. With its striking black face and silver-colored numerals and hands, the HT2 is a looker. Some of the outdoor-specific functions include a digital and analog clock that can cover up to four time zones, an altimeter and a compass for navigation. There is also a barometer and a thermometer to let you track real-time weather conditions, which is of extreme importance in trip planning and camping. Never get lost again when you pick up the Timberland HT2 Watch on Amazon.com for $335.00.

NeoAir Mattress

Take camping to a whole new level of luxury with the NeoAir mattress from Therm-A-Rest. This is not your typical college dorm-room blow-up bed, but more along the lines of the most advanced engineered ultra-light comfort camping mattress available. The NeoAir is three times warmer than the average uninsulated air bed thanks to its patented reflective barrier that returns warmth to your body and keeps out the cool ground air. When it comes to portability, the revolutionary design that goes into the NeoAir lets it fold up to about the size of a 1-liter water bottle, making it easy to stow away in your backpack. The efficient fiber-less design keeps the NeoAir moisture-free while giving it a great durability. Get hold of a NeoAir Mattress from Therm-A-Rest at BackCountryGear.com anywhere from $119.95 to $149.95.

Coleman Exponent TYL X2

Trying to find a compact and lightweight tent that is both portable yet comfortable can often lead to pretty barren results. The Coleman Exponent TYL X2 is the chief exception to the rule. Thanks to its basic two-pole setup, the TYL X2 can be pitched in a flash, and the result is a very spacious tent. The interior design is highlighted with a dry entry and front vestibule that is perfect for storing gear out of the way. The big D-shaped door allows for wide access, and the generous mesh panels in the walls are very conducive to cross ventilation. You might assume that a tent with a packing weight of just over five pounds might be flimsy, but the TYL X2 is a very capable three-season camping unit that is UV-protected from the sun and great at holding off a crisp night wind. Stay warm, dry and safe on your next camping adventure by picking up the Coleman Exponent TYL X2 at Amazon.com for $139.99.